2. Energy Usage
• About 52% of the energy used in a
household goes towards heating and
cooling,19% to heating water, and 29% to
other household appliances.
• In office buildings, 34% of the energy used
goes towards heating and cooling, 29% to
lighting, 9% to heating water, and 28% to
office equipment, ventilation, and other
miscellaneous uses.[1]
3. Energy Usage
• Heating and cooling constitute the largest
energy use in both homes and offices.
4. Energy Saving Tips:
Heating and Cooling
• Invest in a programmable thermostat.
• In the summer, set the thermostat between 78°
and 80°F, and close window shades (to reduce
ingress of solar heat).
• In the winter, set the thermostat between 68°
and 70°F, and open window shades to admit
direct sunlight (which helps to heat your home).
Use of a humidifier makes lowering the
thermostat more comfortable.
5. Energy Saving Tips:
Heating and Cooling
• Run the fan instead of the AC to circulate air.
• To maximize heating and cooling efficiency,
change air filters once a month, and keep air
delivery and return vents clear of blockages.
• Thoroughly insulate your home or office building
to minimize heat loss in the winter and heat gain
in the summer.
6. Energy Saving Tips:
Electricity and Lighting
• Turn off lights and appliances after use.
• Unplug appliances whenever possible to eliminate
“standby” electricity loss.[2]
• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs in place of
incandescent light bulbs. CFL’s last longer and use less
energy but do contain a small amount of mercury which
requires proper disposal. This is often done at your local
Home Depot or Lowe’s store
7. Energy Saving Tips:
Kitchen Appliances
• Set refrigerator temperature between 37°- 40°F, and
freezer temperature at 0°F.
• Be sure to vacuum the condenser coils every 6 months.
• Do full loads when washing or drying clothes. Use only
warm or cold water. Drying loads consecutively saves
energy so the dryer does not have to heat up each time.
Be sure to clean the lint filter after each load.
• Or Air Dry your clothes using a clothes line or a hanging
rack inside
8. Energy Saving Tips:
Kitchen Appliances
• When cooking try to use the range rather than
the oven as much as possible.
• Use pressure cookers and microwaves to lower
energy consumption.
• Buy energy star products for greater energy
efficiency.
9. Energy Saving Tips:
Water Heating
• Insulate water heater and surrounding pipes to
reduce heat loss and water consumption.
• Set water heater thermostats to 120°F (or 140°F
if you have a dishwasher).
11. Water Saving Tips:
Kitchen and Bathroom
• Check for and fix leaks. A leak from a worn
faucet washer can waste 20 gal. of water a day.
• Read your water meter after 2 hours of not using
water. If the meter has changed, there is a leak
and it should be repaired.
• While waiting for a shower to heat up, capture
cold water in a bucket or pan and use it for
watering plants or other household uses.
12. Water Saving Tips:
Kitchen and Bathroom
• Take shorter showers. A 4 minute shower uses
20-40 gal. of water.
• Turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth,
shave, wash your face or rinse dishes.
• Invest in a high efficiency toilet, or put a plastic
bottle filled with sand in your toilet tank to reduce
the amount of water used per flush.
13. Water Saving Tips:
Kitchen and Bathroom
• Use aerators on all faucets and low-flow shower
heads for better water pressure while using less
water in total.
• Only wash full loads of clothes, and do the same
with dishes.
• Use a vegetable brush to clean food items to
make washing/preparation quicker and more
efficient.
14. Water Saving Tips:
Outdoor Water Use
• When washing your car, don’t run the hose until
you need to rinse. This can save up to 150
gallons of water.
• Use a broom to clean your driveway, front stoop
or porch, rather than a hose.
• When planting a garden, practice xeriscaping.
Group plants according to their water needs, and
plant drought-resistant plants and bushes.
15. Water Saving Tips:
Outdoor Water Use
• Add compost to your garden and lay down mulch to help
the soil retain moisture.
• Water your lawn in the morning or when it is overcast to
minimize evaporation. Avoid watering when it is sunny or
windy. (When Allowed) [3]
• ‘Deep-soak’ your lawn. Water the lawn long enough for
the water to seep down to the roots to promote deeper
root systems. (When Allowed) [3]
16. Water Saving Tips:
Outdoor Water Use
• Collect rainwater in a rain barrel and use this to
water plants.
• Be sure to follow watering restrictions specific to
your local area.
• Position sprinklers to avoid watering the sidewalk,
street, or driveway.
17. Water Saving Tips:
Facts
• If a faucet drips at a rate of 1 drop per sec.
you can waste 2,700 gal. per year.
• The average daily indoor water use for a
single family home with no water-
conserving fixtures is 74 gal.
19. Gasoline Saving Tips
• Don’t drive like a demon on wheels! Quick
accelerations reduce fuel efficiency and put wear
and tear on your transmission.
• At 60 mph, having your windows open reduces
your MPG by the same amount as having your
A/C running full blast.
• Under 60 mph having the windows open is a
reasonable alternative to using the A/C.
20. Gasoline Saving Tips
• Be sure to keep the belts tight, fans running and
filters clean in order to get the most MPG out of
your vehicle.
• Make sure your tires are inflated to the factory
mandated pressure; failure to do so can take a
serious toll on MPG.
22. Natural Gas Saving Tips
• Have your heating system professionally
checked on a regular basis.
• Get a carbon monoxide detector for your own
safety and so leaks don’t increase your energy
bill.
23. Natural Gas Saving Tips
• Check the insulation in your attic. If you have
less than 7 inches of insulation, consider adding
another layer to keep heat trapped within your
home.
• Add weather stripping and caulk around
windows and doors to improve insulation.
• Don’t heat unused spaces or vacant rooms.
24. Natural Gas Saving Tips
• If you have a fireplace, be sure that the dampers
are closed when the fireplace is not in use.
• Replace gas appliances that are more than 10
years old with new energy-efficient appliances.
![Energy Usage
• About 52% of the energy used in a
household goes towards heating and
cooling,19% to heating water, and 29% to
other household appliances.
• In office buildings, 34% of the energy used
goes towards heating and cooling, 29% to
lighting, 9% to heating water, and 28% to
office equipment, ventilation, and other
miscellaneous uses.[1]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)